Liquefied gas filler valve assembly



Jan. 10, 1961 H. NORWAY EI'AL 7,5

LIQUEFIED GAS FILLER VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. '7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORS.

l Harold L. Norway Woodrow S. oedecker BY v - fifty.

Jan. 10,1961 H. L. NORWAY ETAL 2,967,541

LIQUEFIED GAS FILLER VALVE ASSEMBLY INVENTORS. Harold I... Nor We) Woodrow S. BocdecKe Jan. 10, 1961 H. NORWAY ETA]. 7,

LIQUEFIED GAS FILLER VALVE ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 7, 1957 r W mw c 0 M 5 MM N 9 is 4 4 a a a 3 a mJ Hm j w m wmw $4 V r I/ la la 0 a e Wm M2;

2 a 8 oww m 7 g 2 2 u 0 M, y 9 8 2M 6 I08 2 M 83 3 www m 2,967,541 Patented Jan. 10, 19 61 lice LIQUEFIED GAS FILLER VALVE ASSEMBLY Harold L. Norway, Evanston, and Woodrow S. Boedecker, Elmhurst, Ill., assignors to The Bastian-Blessing Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 7, 1957, Ser. No. 632,835

19 Claims. (Cl. 137-393) This invention relates to liquefied petroleum gas equipment, and more particularly to equipment such as is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,405,998, by W. C. Buttner et al., wherein a liquid withdrawal line is provided which is separate from the inlet line and excess flow valve means are provided in the liquid withdrawal line to make it particularly safe and convenient in use.

In order to keep the pressure down during filling of a tank by means of liquid petroleum handling equipment as described in the aforementioned United States patent to Buttner et al., it is desirable that there be agitation of the liquid during filling and agitation of the vapor in the vapor space within the tank, as well as condensation of the vapor through heat exchange with the incoming liquid and breakup of stratification in the vapor space and surface tensions of the liquid within the tank so that there is absorption of the latent heat from the vapor and precipitation thereof. This can be accomplished by means of the spray structure such as disclosed in the copending application by Robert E. Poethig and Evans R. Billington on Method and Apparatus for Liquid Filling of Pressure Storage Tanks, Serial No. 527,522, filed August 10, 1955, now Patent No. 2,813,402. This structure, in the said copending application, utilizes a filler valve element or coupling to feed liquid into a closed container or tank in the form of spray in the ten percent outage or vapor area, providing for evacuation of the entire, container (if that should be necessary) through a liquid eduction tube to the lower end of the coupling. However, it will be appreciated that simultaneous filling and eduction of the liquid cannot be accomplished with this particular apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for handling liquefied petroleum gas, in which a control unit constructed in accordance with the aforementioned US. Patent No. 2,405,998 has the liquid withdrawal line separate from the fill connection in order that simultaneous withdrawal of the liquid and filling of the tank may be accomplished if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit as described, in which the filling and withdrawal structures within the tank and associated with it externally, such as the stand-pipe, are simplified and more compact.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control unit as described, wherein a number of cooperating units may be utilized as described in the aforementioned US. patent, but with no increase in complexity of basic features.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit for affording simultaneous filling and withdrawal if desired, wherein the liquid level may be nevertheless accurately and immediately determined by positive valve closing means integrally formed therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for handling liquefied petroleum as described, in which special excess flow control means are utilized in the liquid withdrawal so that this line may be safely opened for use with a tractor or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds in accordance with the drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the fitting adapted to be threadedly received on a tank (not shown) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the lines 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a second embodiment of the structure shown in Figure 1, in vertical section.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, aunitary valve means 10 is shown for use with a pressure tested, corrosion treated tank indicated in part at 19 in Fig. -1 to be buried in the ground below the frost line so as to absorb heat from the earth and thereby warm the liquid contained in the tank, such as liquefied butane, propane, or a mixture of both.

With this arrangement, the heat of the earth is relied upon to establish a vapor pressure of the tank which may be utilized for fuel either in its liquefied state or its vapor phase out of the tank. The tank is provided with a riser pipe (not shown) which is mounted over a suitable opening in the tank and has its upper end configured to threadedly receive the fitting 11. Of course, by means of a suitable annular bracket, the fittings 11 could be secured directly to the tank. In order to permit the liquid to agitate the surface and provide for the aforementioned heat exchange and subsequent pressure reduction, a splash tube 12 is provided having a lower portion 14 at a slight angle to the vertical, as shown, and extending upwardly through the threaded annular connecting boss 16 into connection with the filler control valve 18 hereinafter to be further described. Also extending upwardly through the threaded annular flange 16 is a fixed liquid level gauge tube 20 opening into a passage 22 for operation of a shutolf control system 24 associated with the valve 18 directly in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. It will be understood that the splash tube 12 and the fixed liquid level gauge tube 20 extend downwardly into the tank for use with the fitting 11 a predetermined distance such that the splash tube 14 is disposed slightly above a ten percent outage level of the fluid to be contained in the tank, whereby to effect the aforementioned agitation of the liquid in the tank during filling; whereas the tube 20 extends preferably slightly therebelow to a level such as to permit liquid to be forced upwardly therethrough by the vapor in the tank when the ten percent outage level is attained. The over-all length of the tubes 12 and20 will be determined in accordance with whether the fitting 11 is utilized with a stand-pipe as described or atfixed directly to the tank. 9

In order to permit withdrawal of liquid from the tank for use directly in the tank of a tractor or the like, a dip tube or eduction tube 26 is provided extending also axially downwardly within the collar 16, and connected with a'withdrawal outlet 28 having, as shown in Figure 2, an outwardly closing excess flow check valve 30 therein, as also hereinafter described. Other control assemblies are incorporated in, the basic member 10, such as: (1) The pressure gauge 32 for checking the vaporpressure of the fuel in the container;

(2) A fixed liquid level gauge arrangement at 24 (Fig. 3) for use with the dip tube 20 for either indicating, or automatically shutting oil the inflow of replenishing liquid, when a maximum permitted filling level has been reached in the tank 19 as identified with the bottom of the tube 20.

The liquid initially educted through the dip tube 20 from the rising liquid level in the tank is used foreither purpose;

In this connection, it manual gauging is desired the valve 170 as later described is removed and the orifice 162 sprays liquid into the atmosphere when the level of liquid in the tank reaches the lower end of the tube 20. However, if automatic stoppage of filling operations is deths valve 170 s e e y p n a fe tu n an the latch pin 136 comes into operation as hereinafter decr bed;

A vapor e n assembly 6. i esired f r pe nitting equalization of pressure between the tank 19 and a dispensing unit such as a truck tank whereby to speed up the filling operation;

(4) An automatically inwardly opening outwardly closing back flow valve 66 in the conduit 58 for filling the tank; and,

5) An inwardly closing inflow check valve 126 controlled by the automatic operation of the fixed level gauge and the latch pin 136.

In connection with the vapor return it will be observed that a projecting nose 38 or plunger is adapted to be depressed by a suitable vapor hose coupling for connecting the assembly 36 to a truck tank upon removal of a cap 40 threadedly received therein, and affords opening of the valve 42 which is normally spring biased into closing position by the spring 44 of the assembly 36.

A service line shut-off valve 46 is also provided so that positive means of shutting off the fuel supply from a storage tank are provided when needed, as actuated manually by a wheel 48 effecting axial movement of a bearing 50 driving a plunger 52 carrying the said valve 46.

It desired, a float type liquid level gauge (not shown) may also be provided within the upstanding cross sectionally square boss 54, as described in the said US. Patent No. 2,405,998 to W. C. Buttner et al. Thus, a hole of suitable dimension is machined within the upstanding stock 54 to receive the shaft of the gauge and to provide room for visual investigation of the interior of the tank if desiredthis structure also serving to remove metal which may be salvaged and used again. If used, the gauge is operated by float means as also described in the said US. patent.

Various other features and assemblies may be incorporated in the head as described in the said patent, but the invention is directed to means for filling a tank with liquefied petroleum gas to a predetermined level while affording simultaneous withdrawal of the liquid for use in a tractor tank or the like. Thus, the level may be achieved within extremely close margins by means of a cooperati ve structure of the filling and outlet assemblies of the head as calibrated by substantially instantaneously acting automatic shut-off means. Whereas in the aforerrfentioned patent disclosure a double-acting valve system is provided for a single outlet and inlet connection, the present invention renders this unnecessary. The filler valve 18 according to the invention, however, requires no great or marked departure from previous construction while affording exceptional advantages in the way of compactness of equipment and eifective control of the valve closing action. 7

The connection 18 includes a pipe assembly 56 which is preferably formed from brass, or other suitable relatively efficient heat conductive material, defining therein a cylindrical bore 58 axially connected with a discharge passage 60 leading to the splash tube 12. The discharge passage 60 is relatively reduced in diameter, as compared with the cylindrical bore 58, and the pipe 56 defines per-ipherally of the passage 60 at its upper end an annular recessed shoulder portion 62 set inwardly from the cylindrical walls of the bore 58 to provide a seat for a helical spring 64 which bears at its upper end against an outwardly closing inwardly opening inlet back flow (or outflow) check valve means 66 defining an annular recess 68 for receiving the upper end of the spring. The valve 66 is machined at its lower portion from a hexagonal bar stock toprovide the recess 68 and a cavity defined by a cylindrical wall 78 of reduced diameter. Below the wall 70 the stock is cut away with a larger tool which barely cuts through the sides of the hexagonal bar as indicated by the numeral 71 to leave six depending corner legs 72 below the portion 76 which are spaced apart slightly at the point of tangential contact between the inner bore 71 and the said periphery of the hexnut. The purpose of this structure will be hereinafter further described.

The upper portion of the bore 58 is threaded internally as at 84 to receive a connection and seating member 86 provided at its lower end with a valve seat 88 for the valve 66, the valve in turn defining a shoulder 90 cooperating therewith. The threaded portion 84 of the bore 58 is relatively wider than the lower portion of the bore to provide a seat 92 against which the fitting connection 86 can bear when fully inserted.

In order to make insertion of the cooperating valve elements hereinafter to be described easier, the upper portion of the valve connection 86 is formed separately from the lower portion and is designated by numeral 94. Adjacent its upper end, the member 94 is internally threaded as at 96 to receive a closure plug 98. The member 94 is also externally threaded by heavy threads 190 to receive a filling hose or adapter connection from a truck tank or the like to be used in filling a tank to which the head 10 is attached. A valve 102 is slidably mounted for axial movement in the valve 66 by means of a stern 104 slidably received in a bore or element 10.6 of the valve means 66, and is biased upwardly into closing position against a valve seat 198 to pro vide an outwardly closing inwardly opening inlet back flow (or outflow) check valve in which the valve seat 108 is defined by the upper element 94 by means of a spring 110 whose lower end bears on the connection 86 and whose upper end engages a relatively wide guide element 112 on the valve. The upper end of the valve is provided with a resilient synthetic rubber disc 114 held by a washer 116 and screw 118 received in a stern 104 against a washer 129 disposed centrally of an annular fiange 122 for receiving the disc 114. The valve means 102 carries a disc 124 at its underside seated on a recess 126 of the stem 104. The recess is formed in a relatively thickened portion 128 of the stem 104 adapted to engage a chimney 130 which defines the upper portion of the bore 106 or the valve 66 as hereinafter further described, so that upon full downward movement of the valve 66 and the valve 182 as thus engaged with the chimney 130, the disc 124 will abut a valve seat 132 defined in the connection 86 to provide in conjunction therewith an inwardly closing outwardly opening inlet in flow check valve means.

In order to provide for closing of the inlet connection 18 in response to attaining of a predetermined level in tank being filled thereby, a piston 134 is provided for cooperation with the valve 66 and carries a latch pin 136 received in a bore 138 in the pipe 56 which is disposed at a position in register with the lower portions of the legs of the valve 66. The latch pin 136 carries an O-ring seal 139 for proper sealing relationship between the bore 58 and a relatively enlarged bore 140 opening by a taper 142 of the bore 138. The said taper 142 defines a shoulder for a piston head 144 carrying the latch pin 136, and having secured thereto at its other side and axially with the latch pin a stem or handle 146 which is knurled at its outer portion 148. The piston head defines a central annular recess 15% wherein is positioned an O-ring seal 152. To maintain pressure in the chamber defined by' the taper 142 and the piston head 144, a cap 154 is threadedly received in the bore 149 and defines a recess 156 to receive one end of a spring 158 whose other end bears against the piston head 144. The cap 154 extends inwardly a distance sufiicient to maintain the latch pin. 136 slightly outwardly and extending into the bore 58, when the piston head 144 abuts the inner end of the cap 154, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The piston 134 is adapted to respond to attainment of the said predetermined liquid level in the tank being filled, by means corresponding to those in my concurrently filed application on Filler Control by James Larken and Woodrow S. Boedecker Serial No. 632,836. Thus, the passage 22 opening into the fixed liquid level gauge 20 is connected selectively with the saidchamber defined by the tapered bore 142 and the piston head 144 by a passage 159 opening into a transversely extending bore 160 having at one end an orifice seat 162 opening into the passage 22 through a reduced extension 164 of the bore 160. The orifice and seat 162 are manually closable by means of a pin 166 threadedly received in the bore 160 and carrying an O-ring seal 168 to shut it from the outer atmosphere. A suitable knurled head 170 is provided in the outer end of the pin 166 so that when the head is rotated in one direction, the orifice will be opened to admit fluid from the passage 22.

Prior to attainment of the said predetermined level, vapor will be inducted through the passage 22 by means of the fixed level gauge tube 20, and will be vented through the bore 160 and a passage 172 to the atmosphere. For this purpose, a resilient valve member 174 is provided, preferably of synthetic rubber, which has a peripheral annular flange 176 connected by relatively flexible webbing 178 to a valve body 180. The valve body is normally in spaced relationship to a valve seat 182 defined in a chamber 184 containing the valve body, and opening at its upper end to the passage 177 and at its lower end to the passage 186 to the atmosphere. The annular flange 176 is secured at its upper edge in a recess 188 so that the lower edges of the recess 188 vent into the chamber'184 by means of an annular passage 190 surrounding it and opening into the passage 177. Thus, when the shut-off valve 166 is opened, to an extent permitted by the stop pin 191, vapor will filter past the annular flange 176 to be vented to atmosphere through the passage 186. I

However, when the ten percent outage level is at tained, vapor pressure in the tank being filled will cause liquid to be educted through the tube 20 and into the pas sage 22 and passage 160 where the latent heat of vaporiza' tion retained in the brass fitting 56, as induced therein by friction and pressure of fluid being introduced through the fitting 18 as well as circurnambient atmospheric temperatures, will cause the liquid to vaporize thereby creating a pressure too great to be adequately vented through passage 177 and 186. A passage 192, which is preferably an extension of the passage 159, is open to the bore 160 and bears directly at its lower flared end 194 over the head of the valve body 180. This pressure induced by the vaporization of the liquid, will therefore close the valve 174 by moving the valve body 180 against the valve seat 132 so that all venting of the vapor is precluded and a back-pressure is created upwardly through passage 159 and into the chamber defined by the tapered wall 142 and the piston head 144. This pressure will act against the spring 158 to cause the latch pin 136 to retract from its normal outwardly extending position and move inwardly until the piston head 144 abuts the inner end of the cap 154, as described.

The action of the filler valve shut-ofl means will be in part understood from the foregoing description. When the cap 98 is removed and a hose connected from a truck tank or the like, and fluid inducted into the fitting 18, the valve 102 will be depressed until it abuts the chimney 130 of the valve 66 whereby to open the innerchamber defined by the connection 86 and its upper portion 94. Thereupon, the valve 102 and valve 66 'will move downwardly as a unit against the pressure of the spring 64 When the latch pin 136 is received in a slot defined by adjacent legs 72 of the lower check of the valve 66, until the latch pin engages the upper portion 70 of the check which is, as stated above, of relatively reduced diameter so as to define an annular abutment wall. Thus,

the valve will be held in open position until such time as the predetermined liquid level is attained, whereupon the pressure induced by vaporization of liquid inducted through the liquid level gauge tube 20 and etfectiyeto close the valve 174 will cause retraction of the latch pin 136 as hereinbefore described. As stated, the latch pin will extend slightly inwardly of the wall of the bore158, but will permit downward movement of the valves 66 and 102 as a unit because of its guided position relative to the stop check inwardly of the widest portions of the hexnut. This movement will permit the disc 124 of the valve 102 to close against the valve seat 132 on the connection 86, whereby to efiectively prevent any further introduction of liquid into the tank. However, when the flow of liquid is stopped by operation of a valve at the tank truck, a back-pressure will be present within the bore 58 suflicient to act upwardly, in cooperation with the spring 64, to reposition thevalve 102 and its upper disc 114 against the valve seat 108 thereby to seal the valve until further filling is required. In case of emergency, it will be noted that the latch pin 136 may be retracted manually by means of grasping the knurled portion 148 of the piston 134.

The rounded configuration of the inner end of the latch pin 136 cooperates with the outwardly obliquely angled structure of the legs 72 to insure that there will never be any catching or accidental locking of the valve 66 by the latch pin 136. Thus, if the valve 66 and its lower check portion forming the legs 72 were rotated so that the pin 138 came into registration directly with one of the legs 72, the angled configuration of the legs would serve to cam the pin into an intermediate slot defined by the legs.. This constitutes a built-in safety feature so that virtually no attention or repairs are required for the construction of the invention.

Whereas in previously used heads, the induction-tube was open at its lower end during filling so that agitation undesirable within the body of the liquid was produced, and while spray filling by suitable means described in the aforementioned copending Poethig and Billington application, Serial No. 527,522 could be employed therewith, it has not been possible to eifect desirable spray filling such as to reduce vapor pressure as described with simultaneous withdrawal of fluid from the eduction tube. The present invention permits liquid to be drawn from the tank without regard to the condition of the splash tube, such'as the tube 12 of Figure 1. Thus, the eduction tube 26 of the invention permits liquid to be drawn directly to the outlet connection 28 through the passage 202 leading from the tube 26, with the liquid level control being especially effective due to the removal of agi: .tation in the'body of the liquid itself even though the tank is being filled through the tube 12 simultaneously, so that a desirably safe outage level within the tank would never be exceeded. The outlet 28 defines a bore 204 opening into the passage 202 having threadedly re: ceived therein the check assembly 30 and a pipe plug 206 in closely spaced relationship thereabove. The plug may be desirably carrying an instruction tag 208.-

The check valve assembly 30 includes a spider 210 formed integrally with the threaded annular insert 212 of the check assembly and carrying an annular guide 214 in which is slidably received the valve stem 216 having threadedly secured thereto a valve head 218 adapted to seat against the valve seat 220 defined by the retainer 212. The valve 218 is biased away from the valve seat 220 by a helical spring 230 engaging the valve head 218 at one end, and an annular flange 224 of the spider 210 at its other end. However, in order to maintain the valve 218 in closing position against the valve seat 220 initially so that when the device is put into operation there will be no hazard from a sudden rush of fluid from the tank which could lead to a combustion condition or be inconvenient otherwise, a screw 226 is threadedly received in the upper end of the valve stein 216 and carries a washer 228 abutting the stem 216. A second spring 222 abuts the flange 224 at its lower end, and the disc or washer 228 at its upper end whereby to bias the valve stem 216 in a direction to close the valve 218 against the valve seat 220, the spring having a force sufliciently great to overcome the effect of the spring 230 for this purpose. However, the greater pressure within the tank will suffice to maintain the valve 218 closed without the spring 230, and so in preparing the outlet for use in connection with a tractor tank or the like, it is necessary first to remove the plug 286 and thereupon extract the screw 226, the washer 228 and the spring 222 manually.

In preparing for removal of liquid through the outlet 28, it must be remembered that normally the pressure within the tank of the tractor will be slightly greater than the pressure of the tank due to the heat generated by the circumambient air within the tractor tank under usual conditions encountered. Therefore, the tank of the tractor is desirably vented to a slight extent initially, and thereupon the screw, washer and spring elements 226, 228 and 222 are removed. When the outlet 28 is connected to a tractor by use of a suitable conduit (not shown), equalization of the pressure in either side of the valve 218 must take place before etfective operation thereof in opened condition; and to this end, a bleed passage 232 is provided in the stem 216 so that the pressure at the outlet side of the valve 218 will not be greater than the pressure on the side closest to the tank from which the fluid is being withdrawn. Thereupon, the action of the spring 230 will be effective to hold the valve 218 outwardly of the valve seat 220 and permit withdrawal of the liquid from the tank into the tank of the tractor. It will be appreciated that other vapor adjustments may be accomplished by means of the outlet 234 which is threaded to receive a service I.O.L. connection which may be connected to a suitable low pressure regulator (not shown).

Referring now to Fig. 4, a second embodiment of the invention is shown wherein a coupling 236, substantially corresponding to the element 56, threadedly receives a body 238 defining a valve seat 240 for a valve 242 biased into closing relationship with the seat 240 by a helical spring 244 having one end received in an annular recess 245 in the valve and its lower end bearing against an annular flange 246 on a spider 248 threadedly received in a bore 250 defined in the coupling 236, for introducing fluid into the tank in the. manner heretofore described. The upper end of the valve 242 is provided with a resilient valve head 252 held thereupon by a washer 254 and a screw 256 threadedly secured in the valve stem 258, which defines a bore 260 to slidably receive a pin 262 carrying a dished valve 264 which is biased into closing relationship with a valve seat 266 defined by an annular flange of the spider 248, by means of a spring 268 bearing against the lower end of a bore 270 formed axially in an upstanding cylindrical guide 272 for guiding the valve stem 258. Thus, upon entry of liquid into the body 238 as hereinafter described, the valve 242 will be moved downwardly as guided by the guide 272 and will engage the pin 262 to open the valve 264. This structure substantially corresponds to the structure of the first embodiment and to that disclosed in the aforementioned application of Poethig and Billington, Serial No. 527,522, the first embodiment resembling the valve of Fig. 4 of the said Poethig et al., application and the second embodiment resembling the valve of Fig. 2 of that application, and being generally similar in operation except as set forth within the disclosure of the present invention and as controlled by the concepts relating thereto.

The body 238 of the embodiment of Fig. 4 defines a bore 274 of relatively large diameter opening into the bore 276 for the valve seat 240, in which is slidably received in a sleeve 278 of a spider 280, the valve stem 284 of an inflow check valve 282. The valve 282 is biased downwardly against a valve seat 286 at the upper end of bore 274 by a spring 288 bearing against the sleeve 278 at one end and within an annular recess 289 of a relatively enlarged bevelled retainer disc 290 of the valve 282 at the other end. This disc may be provided with a recess or vertical guide notch 292 to receive a guide pin 294 if desired, the lower portion of the valve being provided with a resilient head 296 for engaging the valve seat 286.

In order to provide for maintaining the valve 282 in open position, in a manner corresponding to that described with respect to valve 66, a piston assembly 298 is mounted in a heat conductive fitting 300, which is threadedly received in a bore 302 of the body 238. This assembly is actuated by means of a valve means 304 substantially identical with the valve 174 of the first embodiment, and elements associated therewith, reference to which is made herewith.

In order to cock the piston 298, the stem 284 is lifted manually by means of its knurled end 306, which extends upwardly through an inlet opening 308 defined by an internally threaded coupling sleeve 310 threadedly received in the upper end of the body 238, with a washer 312 therebetween. A cap 314 is threadedly received in the coupling sleeve 310 in sealing relationship therewith by means of a body washer 316, a recess 318 being defined therein so as to receive the upper end of the stem 306; and upon removal of this cap, the bevelled retainer discs 290 may be moved past the piston 298 so as to cam its plunger 136a and cause it to retract, thereby positioning the lower edge of the disc against the plunger in latched, valve opening relationship.

Thereupon a conduit may be attached to the coupling sleeve 310 and the tank filled until the predetermined limit is reached, this being effective to introduce fluid into the heat-conductive fitting 300, close the valve 304 and move the plunger out of engagement with the disc 290 so as to permit valve 282 to close, these operations being readily understandable from the description of the preceding embodiment. It will be appreciated, however, that the herewith described embodiment affords considerable advantages in economy and simplicity of construction because of the fact that the fitting 238 may be inserted in a body 236 of previously available construction. Furthermore, the fitting 300 may be easily constructed as a separate element and secured in the body 238 at a latching position which may be calibrated by means of the threaded engagement with the body 238.

While we have herein set forth and described our invention with respect to certain specific principles and details thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these may be departed from without altering the scope and concept of the invention, as set forth in the hereunto appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve in said valve body for controlling the flow of replenishing gas through said body to said tank, and shut-off means in said portion of high heat conductivity for controlling the closing of said inflow check valve including an eduction conduit disposed in heat exchange relationship with said portion of high heat conductivity for bleeding to the atmoshpere fluid from the tank while being filled, a vent valve in said conduit adapted to vent said fluid to atmosphere in its vapor phase and to close said conduit in response to pressure developed by vaporization of gas educted in its liquid phase passing through said conduit in said heat conductive portion of said valve body, and piston means carrying a latch slidably mounted in said valve body and biased into position to hold said inflow valve in open position during filling thereof and disposed in communication with said conduit to be moved by said pressure in said conduit to close said inflow valve.

2. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve in said valve body in communication with each other, conduit means through said body in said portion of high heat conductivity including a dip tube for educting fluid from a tank being filled, a vent valve adapted to vent said educted fluid to atmosphere in its vapor state below a predetermined pressure and to close in response to pressure developed by vapor ization of gas educted in its liquid phase in said heat conductive portion of said valve body, and pressure responsive means carrying a latch slidably mounted in said valve body and biased into position to hold said inflow check valve in open position during filling thereof and to release said inflow check valve to closing position upon closing of said vent valve by the pressure of said vaporized liquid gas.

3. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, valve means defining an upper and lower valve seat and a valve member movable therebetween, means for biasing said valve member against one of said valve seats in said valve body, means for limiting movement of said valve member towards the other valve seat including a latch member permitting movement of the valve member towards said one of said seats, and control means for said movement limiting means including a fluid conduit through said portion of the valve body, a valve adapted to vent to atmosphere fluid in said conduit under a predetermined pressure and to close in response to a pressure diiferent from said predetermined pressure, and a pressure responsive member biased to a position to hold said valve member in its limited movement while subjected to one of said pressures and to release said valve memberwhile subjected to the other one of said pressures in said conduit.

4. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, means defining oppositely facing valve ports in communication with each other, a first valve member biased to close against one of the valve ports in said valve body, and a second valve member movable with respect to the first to close against the other valve port, means for limiting movement of said second valve member towards its closed position including a latch, pressure responsive means for controlling said latch, a conduit in communication with said pressure responsive means disposed in said portion of high heat conductivity, a flow restricting means at one end of said conduit, a flow controlling means at the other end of the conduit venting to outside said body, and means connected to said flow restricting means for conducting to said conduit fluid that has passed through said valve ports.

5. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, valve means in said body defining three valve seats, two of which face in opposite directions, a first valve member movable between said oppositely facing valve seats and biased to close against the one of the valve seats, and a second valve member receiving said first valve member biased to close against the third valve seat, said valve means having a discharge tube connected therewith, latch means for limiting movement of the first valve member in one direction, pressure responsive means in said portion of high heat conductivity for actuating said latch means including a conduit for educting fluid from a tank being filled, a valve in said conduit adapted to vent said fluid to atmosphere in its vapor state and to close in response to pressure developed by vaporization of liquid in said conduit by latent heat of vaporization absorbed from said heat conductive pct- 10 tion of said valve body to release said first 'valve member to closing position.

6. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class de scribed, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, valve means defining an upper and lower valve seat and a valve member movable there between, means for biasing said valve member to close against one of said valve seats in said valve body, means for limiting movement of said valve member towards the other valve seat including a latch element permitting movement of the valve member towards said one of said seats, and control means for said movement limiting means including a fluid conduit through said portion of the valve body, means for venting to atmosphere fluid present in said conduit under a predetermined pressure and closing in response to a pressure diflerent from said predetermined pressure, and a pressure responsive member controlling the latch element biased to a position for holding said valve member in its limited movement while subjected to one of said pressures and releasingsaid valve member while subjected to said diflerent pressure in said conduit.

7. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, a normally open inflow check valve and an outflow check valve in communication with each other in said valve body, control means in said portion of high heat conductivity for normally limiting closing movement of said inflow valve, means responsive to gas vaporized with latent heat of vaporization absorbed from said metal for actuating said control means including pressure responsive means for controlling said control means, a conduit in communication with said pressure responsive means disposed in said portion of high heat conductivity, a flow restricting means at one end of said conduit, a flow controlling means at the other end of the conduit venting to outside said body, and means connected to said flow restricting means for conducting to said conduit fluid that has passed through said valve ports.

8. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body on said tank including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, means defining oppositely facing valve ports in communication with each other, a first valve member biased to close against one of the valve ports in said valve body, and a second valve member movable with respect to the first to close against the other valve port, means for limiting movement of said second valve member towards its closed position including a latch, an eduction conduit for introducing fluid from a tank being filled into said valve body, a vent valve adapted to vent said fluid to atmosphere in its vapor state and to close in response to pressure developed by vaporization of gas present in the conduit in its liquid phase by latent heat of vaporization absorbed from said heat conductive portion of said valve body, piston means in communication with said conduit carrying said latch slidably mounted in said valve body and biased into position to hold said second valve member in open position during filling thereof and to release said second valve member to closing position upon said other valve port upon closing of said vent valve, said second valve member being adapted to move to an open position in response to pressure from replenishing liquid introduced into said valve body.

9. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve in said valve body in communication with the tank, means for biasing said inflow check valve into open position, means for normally urging said outflow check valve to closed' position, and control means in said portion of high heat conductivity for holding said inflow check valve open a predetermined distance during inflow of liquefied gas to the tank, vent means responsive to the flow of liquid from the tank when a predetermined fill level is reached in the tank for actuating said control means, said control means cooperating with said inflow valve and said outflow valve to release said inflow valve for closure in the direction of inflow of liquid to the tank when actuated by said vent means.

10. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body having a filler conduit, valve means in said conduit having a pair of relatively slidable check valve members opening upon introduction of fluid thereagainst, a valve housing secured to said valve body above and in communication with said conduit and valve means, an inflow check valve in said housing, latch means for holding said inflow check valve open, and pressure responsive means for controlling said latch means including a conduit receiving liquefied petroleum gas under pressure in its liquid phase and venting same to atmosphere in its vapor phase.

ll. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body having a filler conduit, valve means in said conduit having a pair of relatively slidable check valve members opening upon introduction of fluid thereagainst, a valve housing secured to said valve body above and in communication with said conduit and valve means, an inflow check valve in said housing a fitting of high heat conductivity supported on said valve housing, latch means carried by said fitting for holding said inflow check valve open, and pressure responsive means for controlling said latch means including a conduit in said fitting receiving liquefied petroleum gas under pressure in its liquid phase and venting same to atmosphere in its vapor phase.

12. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a tank, a valve body on said tank including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, means defining oppositely facing valve ports in communication With each other, a first valve member biased to close against one of the valve ports in said valve body, and a second valve member movable with respect to the first to close against the other valve port in the direction of flow of replenishing liquid to the tank, means for limiting movement of said second valve member towards its closed position including a latch, pressure responsive means for controlling said latch, a conduit in communication with said pressure responsive means disposed in said portion of high heat conductivity and disposed at one end in communication with the tank at a predetermined fill level, a flow restricting means at said one end of said conduit, a flow control-ling means at the other end of the conduit venting fluid therein to the atmosphere, and a manually removable valve element for venting said conduit to said atmosphere continuously.

13. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, valve means in said body defining three valve seats, two of which face in opposite directions, a first valve member movable between said oppositely facing valve seats and biased to close against the one of the valve seats, and a second valve member receiving said first valve member biased to close against the third valve seat, said valve means having a discharge tube connected therewith, latch means for limiting movement of the first valve member in one direction, pressure responsive means in said portion of high heat conductivity for actuating said latch means including a conduit for educting fluid from a tank being filled, a valve in said conduit adapted to vent said fluid to atmosphere in its vapor state and to close in response to pressure developed by vaporization of liquid in said conduit by latent heat of vaporization absorbed from said heat conductive portion of said valve body to release said first valve member to closing position. I

14. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body including an inlet inflow check valve, a filler conduit in communication therewith terminating above a predetermined fill limit in the tank, an outlet excess flow check valve in said body, a conduit carried by said body in communication with said outlet valve and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of said tank, automatic means for closing said inlet valve upon the predetermined fill limit being reached in the tank including an element cooperating with said inlet valve for holding said inlet valve open during simultaneous filling and withdrawal of liquid in the tank without hazard of excess pressure due to unvented filling and means responsive to the vapor pressure of the liquefied gas for releasing said element.

15. In a liquid gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body having a filling conduit therethrough in communication with said storage tank at its inner end, an inlet back flow check valve in said conduit closing in the direction of the flow of gas from said tank, an inflow check valve in said conduit exterior of said back flow check valve, automatic means for closing said inlet valve upon the predetermined level being reached in the tank including a conduit carried by said body and extending to a predetermined fill level in the tank, an element for holding said inflow check valve open and means responsive to the expansion of liquid gas educted from the tank through the last mentioned conduit for releasing said element.

16. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, a filler inlet flow check valve means opening into the tank at the top thereof and an outlet flow check valve means opening into the tank at the bottom thereof carried by said valve body, and means responsive to liquefied gas in its vapor phase in said portion of high heat conductivity for closing said inlet valve with inflowing replenishing liquid upon a predetermined level thereof being reached in the tank when being filled thereby, said inlet valve means and said outlet valve means cooperating for simultaneous filling and withdrawal of liquid in a tank without hazard of excess pressure during filling.

17. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, a conduit, an outlflow check valve and an inflow check valve carried thereby disposed in said conduit in communication with the tank, means for biasing said inflow valve into open position and for normally urging said outlet valve to closed position, an element for holding said inflow valve open a predetermined distance during inflow of liquefied gas to the tank, means absorbing heat from said body portion for vaporizing liquefied gases, means for supplying liquefied gas to said heat absorbing means when a predetermined fill level is reached in the tank, and means controlled by vaporized gas cooperating with said inflow valve and said outflow valve to release said inflow valve for closure under the inflow of liquid to the tank when a predetermined fill limit is reached.

18. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described having a storage tank, a valve body having a conduit therethrough in communication with said tank at its inner end and including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity, an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve in said valve body in the outer end of the conduit, means for biasing said inflow valve into open position, and means in said portion of high heat conductivity responsive to expansion of liquefied gas for holding said inflow valve open during inflow of liquefied gas to the tank, means for conducting liquefied gas to said expansion responsive means when a predetermined fill level is reached in the tank, said expansion responsive means cooperating with said inflow valve to release said inflow valve for closure under the inflow of liquid to the tank.

19. In a liquefied gas dispensing system of the class described, a valve body including a portion formed of metal of high heat conductivity having a conduit therethrough, a normally open inflow check valve and an outfiow check valve in said conduit in communication with each other in said valve body, means in said portion of high heat conductivity for receiving and vaporizing liquefied gas with latent heat of vaporization absorbed from said body portion, means responsive to pressures developed in said liquefied gas vaporizing means, and an element controlled by said responsive means for normally limiting closing movement of said inflow valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Royer May 30, Darby Apr. 28, Sundstrom Feb. 15, Buttner et al. Aug. 20, Dechant Mar. 14, Sundstrom July 26, Goddard Sept. 27, 

